There’s not much preface necessary to set the stage for the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry matchup. One time a year, “horn-sawing,” and “t-sipping” are set aside, and the players alone settle debate on the field. For the 2009 senior class’ first time, this rivalry game would end in victory.

Attackman Doug Boyer would find the back of the net first on a man-up assist from senior Alex Kroviak, inside of two minutes into the game. Texas would capitalize on a man-up opportunity again less only minutes later, as senior Evans Swann would score from in close. The first quarter was all Texas, as they’d score two more, ending the opening period 4-0.

Behind the stellar play of senior goaltender Towers Wilen, the Longhorns allowed only one goal in the first half on a broken play opportunity for the Aggies. At the break, the Horns led 6-1.

Coach Noah Fink made sure to remind his team how important it was to keep the intensity high for the second half. “This A&M team wants nothing more than to beat Texas. They had no intentions of giving up and mailing it in for the second half. We struggled at times, but our resilience late in the game showed a lot of heart.”

The highlight of the third may have come on a rather unimportant play. Near the top of the box, Texas sophomore Eric Fleps possessed as an Aggie defender pressed out, and both sidelines erupted. To the unaware, the play was definitely puzzling. Those who know these two teams, however, loved seeing two family members go head-to-head. The Aggie defender in question was none other than Eric’s identical twin brother, Tom Fleps. Much to the disappointment of those on hand, Eric would move the ball to a teammate mid-uproar.

In lacrosse action, the third would be summarized as sloppy, on both team’s behalves. A&M would narrow the lead to two, though, outscoring Texas three-to-one, bringing the score to 6-4 by the end of the quarter. The tightened score brought heightened intensity to a game that looked rather lopsided at the half.

There’d be no comeback for the Aggies though, as Texas used lengthy ball possessions and deliberate scoring efforts to keep TAMU at bay. The Horns traded goals twice with A&M, maintaining their lead as the clock wound down. Texas would take possession with nearly three minutes left, still up by two, and never relinquish it. The Aggies pressured out, but with only :15 left, Boyer found himself alone on the crease, notching his fifth on the night, and all but ending the A&M effort. The Longhorns return to action Wednesday, April 8th against Baylor at Whitaker Fields. Barring an upset, The Longhorns will take the South’s #1 seed into the Lone Star Alliance Conference Tournament in two weeks. Details to follow once the brackets have been finalized.